Gaming system, a gaming server and a gaming method

ABSTRACT

A gaming system for multiple region game play includes a gaming server and gaming clients including a first client located in a first region having a first currency and a second client located in a second region having a second currency. The server is arranged to execute a game instance for each of the clients to enable players to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play. A value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of a local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions and the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Provisional PatentApplication No. 2007901716, having an international filing date of Mar.30, 2007, entitled “A Gaming System, A Gaming Server and Gaming Method,”which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The invention relates to a gaming system and gaming server and a gamingmethod.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In recent times, there has been a move towards server based gamingsystems where players play a gaming terminal that provides graphics forthe game and allows the player to input instructions for a game but thegame logic is executed on a server.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming system formultiple region game play, the gaming system comprising:

-   -   a gaming server; and    -   a plurality of gaming clients in data communication with the        gaming server including a first gaming client located in a first        region having a first currency and a second gaming client        located in a second region having a second currency,    -   the gaming server arranged to execute a game instance for each        of the plurality of gaming clients to enable players operating        the gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes        are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the        game play, the gaming server arranged such that a value of game        credits is derived directly from a denomination of a local        currency of each of at least the first and second regions in        local region play such that the value is different in system        base credits in different regions and the value of game credits        is the same in system base credits for each of at least the        first and second regions in interregional play.

In an embodiment, in each region the value of game credits is deriveddirectly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of adenomination of the local currency of the region.

In an embodiment, each gaming client is adapted to receive currency andany amount of currency received by a gaming client is converted by thesystem to a system base credit value by a currency specific exchangerate.

In an embodiment, a system base credit balance is stored for each gamingclient by the game server.

In an embodiment, the system is adapted to employ a set of region creditrates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate to convertsystem base credits to local game credits for local region play and analternative region credit rate for all regions for interregional play.

In an embodiment, the gaming server comprises a credit value controllerarranged to determine whether the client is engaging in local regionplay or interregional play and to control the value of game credits onthis basis.

In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a plurality of gamingservers each adapted to communicate with a plurality of gaming clients.

In an embodiment, the gaming server comprises a plurality of servers.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming serverfor multiple region game play, the gaming server arranged to:

-   -   communicate with a plurality of gaming clients in data        communication with the gaming server including a first gaming        client located in a first region having a first currency and a        second gaming client located in a second region having a second        currency; and    -   execute a game instance for each of the plurality gaming clients        to enable players operating the gaming clients to engage in game        play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of        game credits wagered in the game play, the gaming server        arranged such that a value of game credits is derived directly        from a denomination of the local currency of each of at least        the first and second regions in local region play such that the        value is different in system base credits in different regions        and the value of game credits is the same in system base credits        for each of at least the first and second regions in        interregional play.

In an embodiment, in each region the value of game credits is deriveddirectly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of adenomination of the local currency of the region.

In an embodiment, the gaming server is adapted to convert any amount ofcurrency received by a gaming client to a system base credit value by acurrency specific exchange rate.

In an embodiment, the gaming server is arranged to store a system basecredit balance for each gaming client.

In an embodiment, the gaming server is adapted to employ a set of regioncredit rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate toconvert system base credits to local game credits for local region playand an alternative region credit rate for all regions for interregionalplay.

In an embodiment, the gaming server comprises a credit value controllerarranged to determine whether the client is engaging in local regionplay or interregional play and to control the value of game credits onthis basis.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of gamingfor multiple region game play, the comprising:

-   -   communicating with a plurality of gaming clients, including a        first gaming client located in a first region having a first        currency and a second gaming client located in a second region        having a second currency;    -   executing a game instance for each of the plurality gaming        client to enable players operating the gaming clients to engage        in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an        amount of game credits wagered in the game play; and    -   controlling the value of game credits such that the value of        game credits is derived directly from a denomination of the        local currency of each of at least the first and second regions        in local region play such that the value is different in system        base credits in different regions and the value of game credits        is the same in system base credits for each of at least the        first and second regions in interregional play.

In an embodiment, in each region the value of game credits is deriveddirectly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of adenomination of the local currency of the region.

In an embodiment, the method of gaming comprises converting any amountof currency received by a gaming client to a system base credit value bya currency specific exchange rate.

In an embodiment, the method of gaming comprises storing a system basecredit balance for each gaming client.

In an embodiment, the method of gaming comprises employing a set ofregion credit rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rateto convert system base credits to local game credits for local regionplay and an alternative region credit rate for all regions forinterregional play.

In an embodiment, the method of gaming comprises determining whether theclient is engaging in local region play or interregional play andcontrolling the value of game credits on this basis.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of gamingcomprising:

-   -   converting currency received by gaming clients in two or more        regions into system base credits; and    -   controlling the value of game credits for each gaming client        such that the value of game credits is derived directly from a        denomination of the local currency for each region in local        region play such that the value is different in system base        credits in different regions and the value of game credits is        the same in system base credits for each region in interregional        play.

Thus, embodiments of the invention allow games that are independent ofdenominations and the system base currency. They allow bet amounts andcredits to be configurable to allow betting in credit values that makesense for the local currency and to allow gaming machines to participatein jackpots that cover different currency regions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described in relationto the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system configuration;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the gaming method of a embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a gaming machine that may be a gamingclient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiment provides a gaming system for multiple region game play.That is, in a typical exemplary embodiment, gaming clients will belocated in a plurality of different regions which have differentcurrencies to one another and the gaming system is configured to allowplayers to play interregional games, for example, where playerscontribute to a common jackpot or local games where the credit value isderived from the local currency. The gaming clients will be typically beserved by a common game server.

The system employs “system base credits” and exchange rates are employedto convert all the relevant currencies into system base credits. Thatis, for each region that has a different currency there will be a regionspecific exchange rate.

The gaming clients will typically be interactive video terminals adaptedto receive an input of currency.

The system also employs a region credit rate which converts betweenregion credits specific to gaming machines located in a particularregion and system base credits.

A further rate, the game credit rate is used to make the games inparticular regions independent of available denominations in thatregion.

Therefore, the formula:

system base credits=game credits×game credit rate×region credit rate

is used to convert to and from system base credits.

The region credit rate will depend on the currency for that machinewhich would typically depend on the region in which the gaming machineis physically located. The region credit rate can be altered in order toshare a jackpot over a number of regions. This is so that game playersin a number of different regions contribute equally to the jackpot.

The game credit rate may be configured per game or different game creditrates may be employed for different variations of the game. For example,a normal or high stake game.

A typical system is shown in FIG. 1. The system shows a gaming client inthe form of an interactive video terminal 110 and data communicationwith an application server 120. As illustrated in FIG. 1, theinteractive video terminal 110 has a game graphic engine 112 andeffectively acts as a player interface to the game. The player's Is betsin game credits and their game instructions are transferred to the gamelogic 122 of the application server 120. There is also communicationbetween the interactive video terminal 110 and the application server120 which sets the game credit rate and the region credit rate 114/126which is stored in both the IVT and the application server. By alteringthe game credit rate it is possible to alter the value of game creditsrelative to the denominations that are employed and by altering theregion credit rate, it is possible to have gaming clients 110 fromdifferent regions participating in the contributing to a common jackpot.A credit value controller 124 determines whether the player is engagingin local play or interregional play and sets the region credit rateaccordingly. Database 130 stores the current balance of system basecredits for the player and stores values defining the game credit rate,the region credit rate and the exchange rates.

Accordingly, the credit value controller 124 is arranged to implementthe method shown in FIG. 2 where following currency input 210 andconversion to system base credits 220 the credit value controllerdetermines whether the player is engaging in local play 230. If they arenot engaging in local play, they are engaging in interregional play. Ifthe player is engaging in local play the credit controller implements afirst region credit rate 240 and if they are engaging in interregionalplay the credit value controller implements a second regional creditrate 250. The game logic 122 of the application server then determinesthe game outcome 260.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment employs a distributedarchitecture wherein some of the components required for implementingthe game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of thecomponents required for implementing the game are located remotelyrelative to the gaming machine. The embodiment employs a “thin client”architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotelysuch as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is usedonly to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the playerand receive gaming inputs from the player. But in other embodiments, a“thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game isexecuted on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game isexecuted remotely, such as by a gaming server.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine isnetworked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gamingmachine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example,the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thickclient” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played,operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent topersons skilled in the art.

In a thin client embodiment, the game server provides the gamecontroller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, passthese to the game server which will process them and return game playoutcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment,the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs runningsoftware that provides a player interface operable using standardcomputer input and output components.

An interactive gaming terminal may take the form of a gaming machine 10as shown in FIG. 3 that includes a console 12 having a display 14 onwhich is displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by aplayer. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, inparticular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit inputmechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and abill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed,for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card orcredit card. A reading device may also be provided for the purpose ofreading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyaltyprogram. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flashdrive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by thereading device.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 3 is in the form of a video display unit,particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, forexample a video display unit, which may be of the same type as thedisplay 14, or of a different type.

The system may incorporate a number of additional features. For example,a database management server may manage storage of game programs andassociated data for downloading or access by the gaming terminals 10. Inembodiments where the gaming system enables players to participate in aJackpot game, a Jackpot server may be provided to implement the Jackpotgame.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the application server could run arandom generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be provided torun different games or a single game server may run a plurality ofdifferent games as required by the terminals.

The method will be illustrated further in relation to a series ofTables. Table 1 shows exchange rates “EXR” for different currencies.

TABLE 1 Currency EXR SEK 100 NOK 109 USD 730 EUR 920

Table 2 shows that there are two different game credit rates for anormal and a high stake game. In a normal game the game credit rate is10 in the high stake game the credit rate is 100.

TABLE 2 Game GCR Normal 10 Highstake 100

Table 3 shows nine transactions. Transactions 1 to 4 include deposits of10 units in each of the available currencies. For example, intransaction to a deposit of ten Norwegian kroner results in an increase1090 system base credits (SBC). At the same time the player stakes 4game credits which converts via the game credit rate to 40 system basecredits. Therefore the change in system base credits (delta SPC) is 1050system base credits made up of the deposit of Norwegian kroner (1090SBC) and the deduction of the stake (40 SBC).

TABLE 3 Stake Stake Win Win Bal Delta Transaction Game Deposits Cur SBCGC GC SEK GC SEK SEK SBC 1 Normal 10 SEK 1000 100 10 2 Normal 10 NOK2050 205 4 0.40 20.5 1050 3 Normal 10 USD 9100 910 25 2.50 91 7050 4Normal 10 EUR 18800 1880 50 5.00 188 9700 5 Normal 18890 1889 9 0.90 181.80 188.9 90 6 Highstake 18390 184 5 5.00 183.9 500 7 Highstake 17890179 5 5.00 178.9 500 8 Highstake 20390 204 25 25.00 203.9 2500 9Highstake 21090 211 7 7.00 14 14.00 210.9 700

In transaction 4 a case is shown where in a normal game there is adeposit of 10 Euros which corresponds to 9200 system base credits plusan additional win of 50 game credits to provide a total of an additional9700 system base credits.

In transaction 5 a player plays a stake of 9 game credits and has a winof 18 game credits for a change of 90 system base credits.

Transaction 6 to 9 relate to a high stake game. A person skilled in theart will see, for example, with reference to transaction 6 that a better5 game credits now results in a deduction of 500 system base credits. Intransaction 9, the player places a stake of 7 game credits and wins 14game credits resulting in a change in the balance of system base creditsof 700.

Tables 4 to 9 illustrate how the system can be configured for both localand interregional play in further detail.

Table 4 shows exchange rates EXR and regional credit rates RCR for localgaming. In this example 3 games are defined, a normal game, a high stakegame, and a wide area progressive (WAP) configured to work over all fourregions.

TABLE 4 Currency EXR RCR SEK 1000000 1000 NOK 1092500 10925 USD 730620073062 EUR 9203900 92039

As shown in Table 5, the WAP game has an overridden region credit rateof 10,000 system base credits.

TABLE 5 Game GCR RCR Normal 10 Highstake 100 WAP 10 10000

Table 6 shows that the game is configured so that for each regionalcurrency the deposit of 10 of the local currency results in a gamecredit increase of 100 but different values of system base credits.Thus, for normal play, the number of system base credits is differentfor each currency and the number of game credits is the same for eachcurrency and directly derived from a denomination of the localcurrency—i.e. an integer ratio of 10 game credits to each unit of localcurrency.

TABLE 6 Region Game Deposit Cur SBC GC Balance Cur SEK Normal 10 SEK10000000 100 10 SEK NOK Normal 10 NOK 10925000 100 10 NOK USD Normal 10USD 73062000 100 10 USD EUR Normal 10 EUR 92039000 100 10 EUR

Table 7 shows Swedish regional play of the game normal (in transactions1 to 5) and the game high stake (transactions 6 top 9) and game playproceeds in a similar manner to that shown in Table 3.

TABLE 7 Stake Stake Win Win Bal Delta Transaction Game Deposit Cur SBCGC GC SEK GC SEK SEK SBC 1 Normal 10 SEK 10000000 100 10 2 Normal9600000 96 4 0.40 9.6 −400000 3 Normal 7100000 71 25 2.50 7.1 −2500000 4Normal 12100000 121 50 5.00 12.1 5000000 5 Normal 13000000 130 9 0.90 181.80 13 900000 6 Highstake 8000000 8 5 5.00 8 −5000000 7 Highstake3000000 3 5 5.00 3 −5000000 8 Highstake 28000000 28 25 25.00 28 250000009 Highstake 35000000 35 7 7.00 14 14.00 35 7000000 10 Cashout 0 0 0

TABLE 8 Stake Stake Win Win Bal Transaction Game Deposit Cur SBC GC GCUSD GC USD USD Delta SBC 1 Normal 10 USD 73062000 100 10 2 Normal70139520 96 4 0.40 9.6 −2922480 3 Normal 51874020 71 25 2.50 7.1−18265500 4 Normal 88405020 121 50 5.00 12.1 36531000 5 Normal 94980600130 9 0.90 18 1.80 13 6575580 6 Highstake 58449600 8 5 5.00 8 −365310007 Highstake 21918600 3 5 5.00 3 −36531000 8 Highstake 204573600 28 2525.00 28 182655000 9 Highstake 255717000 35 7 7.00 14 14.00 35 5114340010 Cashout 0 0 0

Table 8 the same game played in the currency of US dollars withtransactions 1 to 5 relating to the normal game and transactions 6 to 9relating to the high stake game. Note that in Tables 7 and 8 that theamount deposited in units of local currency, wagered in game credits andwon game credits is the same for each correspondingly numberedtransaction but the balance of system base credits in the column SBC andthe change in system base credits (delta SBC) are very different.

Tables 9 and 10 show both regions playing the WAP game. In this game theregion credit rate from Table 5 overrides the region credit rates fromTable 5. (Noting that it is the same for the Swedish currency). A personskilled in the art will note in relation to Tables 9 and 10 that thechange in the system base credits based on the amounts staked and 1 arethe same in each of transactions 2 through 5. Stake relative to thecurrency of Swedish Krone is different. Accordingly, in this game,players can fairly contribute to the same wide area progressive.

TABLE 9 Stake Stake Win Win Bal Transaction Game Deposit Cur SBC GC GCSEK GC SEK SEK Delta SBC 1 WAP 10 SEK 9000000 90 10 1.00 9 2 WAP 550000055 35 3.50 5.5 3500000 3 WAP 3000000 30 25 2.50 3 2500000 4 WAP 800000080 50 5.00 8 5000000 5 WAP 9200000 92 12 1.20 24 2.40 9.2 1200000

TABLE 10 Stake Stake Win Win Delta Transaction Game Deposit Cur SBC GCGC SEK GC SEK Bal SEK SBC 1 WAP 1 USD 6306200 63 10 0.14 0.86313 2 WAP2806200 28 35 0.48 0.384085 −3500000 3 WAP 306200 3 25 0.34 0.04191−2500000 4 WAP 5306200 53 50 0.68 0.72626 5000000 5 WAP 6506200 65 120.16 24 0.33 0.890504 1200000

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of variationsmay be made to the embodiment without departing from the scope of theinvention described herein.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise”, or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art inany country.

1. A gaming system for multiple region game play, the gaming system comprising: a gaming server; and a plurality of gaming clients in data communication with the gaming server including a first gaming client located in a first region having a first currency and a second gaming client located in a second region having a second currency, the gaming server arranged to execute a game instance for each of the plurality of gaming clients to enable players operating the gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play, the gaming server arranged such that a value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of a local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions and the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play.
 2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in each region the value of game credits is derived directly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of the region.
 3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each gaming client is adapted to receive currency and any amount of currency received by a gaming client is converted by the system to a system base credit value by a currency specific exchange rate.
 4. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a system base credit balance is stored for each gaming client by the game server.
 5. A gaming system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the system is adapted to employ a set of region credit rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play and an alternative region credit rate for all regions for interregional play.
 6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the gaming server comprises a credit value controller arranged to determine whether the client is engaging in local region play or interregional play and to control the value of game credits on this basis.
 7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of gaming servers each adapted to communicate with a plurality of gaming clients.
 8. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming server comprises a plurality of servers.
 9. A gaming server for multiple region game play, the gaming server arranged to: communicate with a plurality of gaming clients in data communication with the gaming server including a first gaming client located in a first region having a first currency and a second gaming client located in a second region having a second currency; and execute a game instance for each of the plurality gaming clients to enable players operating the gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play, the gaming server arranged such that a value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of the local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions and the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play.
 10. A gaming server as claimed in claim 9, wherein in each region the value of game credits is derived directly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of the region.
 11. A gaming server as claimed in claim 9, adapted to convert any amount of currency received by a gaming client to a system base credit value by a currency specific exchange rate.
 12. A gaming server as claimed in claim 9, arranged to store a system base credit balance for each gaming client.
 13. A gaming server as claimed in claim 12, adapted to employ a set of region credit rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play and an alternative region credit rate for all regions for interregional play.
 14. A gaming server as claimed in claim 13, comprising a credit value controller arranged to determine whether the client is engaging in local region play or interregional play and to control the value of game credits on this basis.
 15. A method of gaming for multiple region game play, the comprising: communicating with a plurality of gaming clients, including a first gaming client located in a first region having a first currency and a second gaming client located in a second region having a second currency; executing a game instance for each of the plurality gaming client to enable players operating the gaming clients to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play; and controlling the value of game credits such that the value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of the local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions and the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play.
 16. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 15, wherein in each region the value of game credits is derived directly by the value of game credits being an integral ratio of a denomination of the local currency of the region.
 17. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 15 comprising converting any amount of currency received by a gaming client to a system base credit value by a currency specific exchange rate.
 18. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 15, comprising storing a system base credit balance for each gaming client.
 19. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 18, comprising employing a set of region credit rates, each linked to the currency specific exchange rate to convert system base credits to local game credits for local region play and an alternative region credit rate for all regions for interregional play.
 20. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 19, comprising determining whether the client is engaging in local region play or interregional play and controlling the value of game credits on this basis.
 21. A method of gaming comprising: converting currency received by gaming clients in two or more regions into system base credits; and controlling the value of game credits for each gaming client such that the value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of the local currency for each region in local region play such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions and the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each region in interregional play. 